United States · Transfer Tax
Tennessee's transfer tax is $0.37 per $100 (0.37%) at the state level, and the four largest counties — Davidson (Nashville), Shelby (Memphis), Knox, and Hamilton — add another $0.37 per $100 locally, doubling the rate to 0.74%. On a $400,000 Nashville home the total is about $2,960; outside those counties it is $1,480. Tennessee has no state income tax, which is a different kind of advantage for investors, but the transfer tax is real and paid at closing.
Preset rates are indicative reference values only. Confirm current rates and any reliefs with your local tax authority.
Jurisdiction comparison at $400,000.00
Tennessee pays $1,480.00 (0.37%) vs Tennessee at $1,480.00 (0.37%).
State transfer tax of $0.37 per $100 (0.37%) plus a local tax of up to $0.37 per $100 in the largest counties. Bands below are the standard residential buyer schedule used by the calculator.
| Property value | Rate |
|---|---|
| All values | Flat 0.37% of the full value |
Indicative figures compiled August 2026 — official source: Tennessee Department of Revenue. Rates are typically indexed or revised each financial year.
A USD 400,000.00 purchase in Tennessee attracts about USD 1,480.00 in transfer tax at the standard indicative rates — an effective rate of 0.37%. Recording fees run $50–150; title insurance is standard. That makes the all-in cash requirement USD 401,480.00 before you factor in any deposit, legal work, or moving costs. Adjust the price in the calculator to model your own number.
State transfer tax of $0.37 per $100 (0.37%) plus a local tax of up to $0.37 per $100 in the largest counties. Rates change with legislation and vary by buyer circumstances, so treat these as planning figures and confirm the current rate with Tennessee Department of Revenue before you commit.
At the indicative rates above, a USD 400,000.00 property attracts about USD 1,480.00 in transfer tax — an effective rate of 0.37%. Recording fees run $50–150; title insurance is standard.. The calculator above lets you change the price and see the result instantly.
There is no general first-time buyer exemption in Tennessee at the standard indicative rates. State 0.37% applies statewide. Check current eligibility rules with Tennessee Department of Revenue.
The buyer pays the tax in essentially every case in this market. It is payable in full before or at settlement and cannot normally be added to a mortgage, so it must be part of your cash budget alongside the deposit.
How we calculate: the calculator applies the official band schedule marginally — each rate applies only to the slice of the price inside its band, exactly as the revenue authority does. Worked examples are computed with the same function.
Last reviewed: . Learn more about Nirmal Lashkari and LashkariProperties.
Disclaimer: transfer tax rates change with legislation and vary by buyer circumstances. These are indicative planning figures, not tax advice — confirm every number with Tennessee Department of Revenue or a qualified local professional.
